Sixers sign Varnado for rest of the season

The 76ers signed center Jarvis Varnado for the remainder of the season Tuesday, and the deal also includes a team option with guaranteed money for next season, according to Yahoo! Sports.

The Sixers have not officially announced the signing, but Varnado remained with the team Tuesday despite his original 10-day contract expiring and retweeted a congratulatory message on Twitter.

In five games with the Sixers, Varnado has averaged 2.8 points and 3.4 rebounds in 12.8 minutes per contest. He's also recorded three blocks.

The Miami Heat originally selected Varnado (6-9, 230) out of Mississippi State with a second-round pick in the 2010 NBA draft. He played in eight games with the Heat and five games with the Boston Celtics last season, and also appeared in one game with the Chicago Bulls this season.

Varnado also played with the Iowa Energy of the NBA Development League this season, averaging 14.1 points, 11 rebounds and 4.7 blocks in 22 games. He had 14 points, 16 rebounds and 10 blocks in a victory against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on Jan. 12.